Carbon footprint quantifications reveal that GHG emissions are mainly due to mismanagement (absence of recovery and treatment of organic fractions) of municipal solid waste. Hence, mitigation of GHG emissions (CH₄ and CO₂) from municipal solid waste involves i) reduction of the quantity of waste, ii) segregation of organic fractions of wastes, and iii) treatment of waste to recover energy (biomethanation) or resources (compost – aerobic treatment). Reduction of waste generation is possible through reduced waste generation, segregation at source level, reuse and recovery of waste. Composting and anaerobic digestion are treatment options for organic waste (which constitute 70-75% of the total), whereas recycling is used for inorganic materials (15 to 18%). Wastes which cannot be treated or recycled is ultimately disposed-off at disposal site or landfill. Segregation at source with treatment at local levels (ward levels) plays a prominent role in minimizing organic fractions getting into disposal site.

Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) approach thus would help in the mitigation of GHGs emitted into atmosphere due to by open dumping or by unscientific disposal of waste in landfill site. Integrated solid waste management entails source segregation, collection at waste regularly, treatment of organic fraction at local levels and disposal of only inert refuse at landfill site. The organic fraction is the major contributor of Green House Gases (GHG’s) in MSW and has to be treated for energy and resource recovery.  Reduction of GHG’s through biogas generation is the most common CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) approach for emission mitigation in India. Residential associations in select wards of Bangalore have successfully adopted ISWM since decade through source segregation at household levels, recovery of recyclables and composting of organic fraction, etc. These ventures have successfully demonstrated that sensible waste management while reducing carbon footprint at local levels could be economically viable entrepreneur due to market potential of composts and recyclables (bottles, plastic, paper, metal, etc.).